How bad is it to drive without wheel well plastic?

[GTS-POWER]

Well? I'm driving without it on my passenger side for about 2 days now. Is it gonna be alright if i drive on the highway with it off. I plan to replace it ASAP.

[SexyCelica]

People with bodykits usually leave them off, I've driven mine for about a month without the plastics and everything seems ok, if you look toward the door though you see it's hollow and I've probably been getting lots of dirt inside that area

[GTS-POWER]

Yea, i wonder how the plastics fit, i have the kam. front bumper and it has the place to put the clips, but other aftermarket bumpers don't. So it's ok to have the plastics off. If this is the case, i shouldn't have spent over $200 on underengine plastics that i scraped in the past.

[oONoGoAutoOo]

well most of mines came off while i was driving on the free way. everything is fine so far.

[00CericaRuss]

mine are all screwed up and kinda shredded, but still somewhat in place.. been like that for a while, but I just ordered some new ones cuz I want to be able to keep it nice in there :)

[Masayver]

My driver's side wheel well plastic ripped off at 135 mph... :(

[GTS-POWER]

wow, i guess i'm not the only one. So do u guys think i should replace it? Or save up for rims :)

[mirconrice]

the plastic i believe play a big part in the drag coefficient of the car, when I lost all my plastic, I notice a difference in performance which shown on the G-Tech as well, especially on top end. Thats what I think. You should replace it.

[TRD StreetRacing]

Originally posted by mirconrice
the plastic i believe play a big part in the drag coefficient of the car

so you mean to say that all the other cars that don't come w/ a undercarriage protection has some "drag coefficient" issues??

EDIT: i'm not tring to be a smart ass but i just want to get your opinion :)

[oONoGoAutoOo]

Originally posted by mirconrice
the plastic i believe play a big part in the drag coefficient of the car, when I lost all my plastic, I notice a difference in performance which shown on the G-Tech as well, especially on top end. Thats what I think. You should replace it.

wow really?? I thought they just help with dust and road debris while driving..

[mirconrice]

Originally posted by TRD StreetRacing
so you mean to say that all the other cars that don't come w/ a undercarriage protection has some "drag coefficient" issues??

EDIT: i'm not tring to be a smart ass but i just want to get your opinion :)

ya i know, its cool, don't worry about it, i read most of your post and you seem to be very knowledgeble about cars :)

well thats my personally opinion, when my plastic was not on, I notice a difference in the topend...i might be wrong but thats what i feel. I mean it does make sense that it effect drag coefficient because air gets underneath it and gets trap or it gets push up against it. The retangle piece that goes underneath the plastic and goes in front of the tire is there to redirect the airflow away from the tire (I think thats what it does). I just ordered that piece today so it should come tomorrow. Then I'll see if it makes a difference or not. But yeah without the bottom piece, you can't attach that piece to deflect the airflow away from the tires. I just don't know....i'll find out tomorrow. :) I'll keep you guys updated.

[TRD StreetRacing]

Originally posted by mirconrice
ya i know, its cool, don't worry about it, i read most of your post and you seem to be very knowledgeble about cars :)


not too sure if i should take that as a compliment or a sarcastic jab :confused:

EDIT: either way i'll be the first to say that i'm no dummy when it comes to my engine bay, however i don't know jack ****. well atleast as i want to know

[SexyCelica]

I noticed a difference also, the car feels slower at higher speeds. It would make sense though- you'll have better aerodynamics with a flat even surface on the bottom of your car look at the bottom of race cars then a car without it.

Cars that don't come with the plastics (I see it on more of the newer cars now) doesn't make it a problem with the car or anything, it's just an improvement having them on.

[TRDBaby46]

mine started to come off on the freeway as well... it was dragging and really embarrassing cause of all the noise, so i took them before before my drive home from chicago. Well, after it started to downpour, i started thinking... nothing is protecting my cai now from getting water in it... so i pulled over until it stopped raining because i didnt want to take a chance on hydrolocking my engine... that's the only thing that really bothers me... and i lost half of my rivets too so i gotta order new ones

[GTS-POWER]

Well i went ahead and ordered the piece that i was missing today. It hurted. $150+, staight from the dealership. Now i gotta wait for it to come in and put it on the car.

[00CericaRuss]

damn.. what all did you order? both wheel wells?

[crazyJ]

I don't have any plastics under my car, I ran over a rolled up carpet on the freeway, took everything right off, including half my front bumper and almost took my rear too. the only thing that sucks is that my CAI is all exposed and It's been raining, so far I been lucky and haven't hydro locked the car.

[Mike00]

Hmm I have a CAI on my car and my splashguard recently ripped off since it's going to cost me 191 just for the plastic not including labor I just held off on it. Thing is do I have to worry about hydrolocking more now or is the same as before where basically I need to avoid all deep puddles/floods?

[mirconrice]

yup the underneath plastic are really expensive for what they are...if you want all the plastic piece on the bottom, it would come out to like 400-500 dollars.

[Mike00]

Actually my dealership was only charging me 190 for the three piece set. And then a measly 30 for the install. But at the time it didnt seem like that big of a deal to me but I'm more worried about not being able to drive in rain period because of hydrolocking. I don't really want to spend 190 at this moment in time but if it's that important I will.

[crazyJ]

I'll have to hit up my friend he works in the parts deparment at the toyota dealer. Maybe he can get me better prices, I don't want to spend a grip for plastics, if I spend 500, I can make my own. lol

[SexyCelica]

The aluminum c-one one is like 290 i think

[celica gte racing]

Its very important to keep underbody panels and wheel panels because they play an important role in the aerodynamics of the car, affecting drag, downforce, turbulence. it influences:

instability & noise due to underbody turbulance and enginebay airflow

weaker performance & worsenedfuel economy due to increased drag

keeps impurities away from the mechanics

[Blue Bomber]

You don't have to worry about hydrolocking your engine without the plastics. A little spray of water in the intake won't hurt the engine. It takes much more water than that, which is why the filter needs to be submerged in water to hydrolock the engine. Besides, even with the plastics on, you're getting water into the intake.